Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) has been recommended and used in the ICU, particularly in subpopulations of ICU survivors [1]. We assessed the HRQOL of general ICU survivors at 4 months post discharge and investigated any correlation with age, illness severity and hospital or ICU length of stay (LOS).

Following ethical approval, from November 2004 to October 2005 all adult patients admitted for level 3 care for longer than 48 hours to a 16-bed university hospital general ICU were identified. Those surviving to 4 months post ICU discharge were sent a questionnaire that included the SF-36 to complete. Standard outcome and demographic data were also collected.

At 4 months after ICU discharge, the more elderly have significantly higher psychological HRQOL as compared with younger patients. Prolonged hospital LOS is associated with a persisting significant reduction in the physical domains of HRQOL.